A time machine would be a wonderful tool. We could use it to undo many things in the past that we regret. We could use it to better our world, ourselves, those around us... but it can't exist...
Why?
From a physics perspective, some physicists believe that we are 3 dimensional beings, existing in a 3 dimensional world, able to experience in 3 dimensions, with just a touch of a 4th thrown in. That 4th dimension is time.
The way in which time works in this theory would be similar to a river (not the water in the river, the actual river itself). The river exists as a continuous stream from beginning to end. All aspects of the river are present. Our experience of this river would be as a rock embedded in the riverbed. We would experience the river constantly changing and moving around us, and it is, however the actual river itself exists as a whole at all times, only our perception of the specific river in our surroundings changes.
This means that our perception of time determines our experience of it. Time itself is not a linear concept, however we perceive it as such. This in turn determines our conception of time.
So, we can't change the past, the present or the future... A very interesting argument indeed.
From a spiritual perspective I like this theory with some reservations. I do agree with the theory that time itself exists outside the human perception and that all aspects of time exist simultaneously (that is, that in reality, past, present and future happen at the same time), however it leaves me wondering about the importance of perception in determining reality. If something is perceived in a certain light, does the perception of it alter it's reality? The same argument that Heisenberg made modified. You can determine the speed of an electron or it's position in space, but not both... Your perception of the electron in terms of discovering it's speed alters the reality of it's position and vice versa.
I wonder if the same can be said of time? Time exists in a single continuous stream, but my perceiving time as this moment must in some way alter it...
I can't know, all I do know is that my perception of time tells me it's limited and a precious commodity that I have only a very limited amount of.
Let's take a moment to think on that.
